I’LL CHERISH THIS FOREVER
MARCUS TOWNEND O’Brien’s joy as son lands Oaks
SHE was the only filly in the line-up never to have won a race before, but Forever Together turned the Investec Oaks into a procession — streaking home by four-and-a-half lengths yesterday.
The 7-1 shot grabbed a favoured berth on the stand’s side rail in the home straight as the runners crossed the course in search of the best ground. And the Aidan O’Brien-trained daughter of Galileo pulled clear of 5-2 favourite Wild lllusion, while front-running stablemate Bye Bye Baby finished a further threeand-a-half lengths back in third.
Forever Together became the first maiden to win the Oaks since Sun Princess in 1983. She is also trainer O’Brien’s seventh winner of the race and could well be the sweetest for the allconquering Irish trainer.
O’Brien has won 31 British Classics and achieved Derby success with Camelot and Australia, who were ridden by his eldest son Joseph before increasing weight forced him to retire to become a trainer.
But Aidan and Joseph never won an Oaks together and now he has achieved the feat with his youngest son, Donnacha, 19. The teenager landed his first Classic last month on board Saxon Warrior in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, while his father was in America at the Kentucky Derby.
To be present to witness Donnacha win the Oaks was special for a man who places family at the top of his priorities.
O’Brien said: ‘It is unbelievable. We could never have expected this to have happened. To be here with (his sisters) Sarah and Ana was very special. ‘I can’t tell you how grateful we feel and we don’t take it for granted. From very early the boys were looking at races so tactically.
‘They are natural and Donnacha is very confident. He works very hard and puts it in 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
‘I don’t have to say much to him because he knows what’s happening. It’s a massive day.’
That tactical acumen was clearly evident on the Epsom turf. Securing the stands rail was all important and Donnacha grabbed the slot that was also sought by William Buick on Wild Illusion and Ryan Moore on O’Brien’s perceived first-string runner Magic Wand, who finished fourth. Donnacha said: ‘It played out perfectly. She is very genuine and galloped out to the line really well. I didn’t expect to be here, but when you are riding one of dad’s, anything can happen. You have a chance. It does not matter what it is.
‘He is an absolute genius and is able to do things with these horses that I don’t understand. He tweaks things and brings out massive improvement. I don’t know how he does it but am trying to learn as much as I can.’
Forever Together, who races in the colours of Michael Tabor, had finished behind Magic Wand when they were first and second in the Cheshire Oaks at Chester last month, but looked unlucky in running there.
Moore reported that Magic Wand was unhappy on the rain-softened ground here, as did Buick of Wild Illusion.
As the runners descended into Tattenham Corner, Buick on the Charlie Appleby-trained Wild Illusion might have felt seriously outnumbered as he was surrounded by O’Brien runners. But there was daylight enough if the Godolphin horse had been good enough. She wasn’t.
More disappointing was Clive Cox’s Perfect Clarity, who never landed a blow in seventh, with her rider Adam Kirby also bemoaning the soft ground.
That factor will again be key this afternoon when Aidan O’Brien chases a recordequalling seventh Derby win with a team headed by Saxon Warrior, this time ridden by Moore, with Donnacha switching to Lingfield Derby Trial runner-up Kew Gardens.
Hot favourite Saxon Warrior also has the unfavourable starting stall one to overcome.
The trainer reckons, after another day of the track drying out, the runners will stick to the inside rail this time.
‘I’m sure Ryan will take his time and let the race unfold,’ he said. ‘He is a very uncomplicated horse and everything has gone well with him since Newmarket.’
Salouen, a 33-1 shot trained by Sylvester Kirk, nearly pulled off a shock win in the Coronation Cup but was caught in the final strides and beaten a head by Frankie Dettori-ridden, John Gosdentrained 2-7 favourite Cracksman, who struggled on the track.